Abstract

Introduction

Benign cervical goiters rarely cause acute airway obstruction.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 64-year-old woman of African descent who presented with acute
shortness of breath. She required immediate intubation and later a total thyroidectomy
for a benign cervical multi-nodular goiter with no retrosternal tracheal compression.

Conclusion

Benign multi-nodular goiters are commonly left untreated once euthyroid. Peak inspiratory
flow rates should be measured via spirometry in all goiters to assess the degree of
tracheal compression. Once tracheal compression is identified, an elective total thyroidectomy
should be performed to prevent morbidity and mortality from acute airway obstruction.